The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-01

Mrs. Cleveland who accompanied her hus-
band TO the platform, created . diversion. and
afforded measure of relief by retreating to the
parIor Of the and seating herself in the full
blaze of the electric lights at one of the wide
plate glass windows The fanks of the multi
tude caught sight of tho winsomo picture, aud
crowded around to look upon it.
Tne President now stepped back on the car
platform, as the allotted time Was up but even
now they were unwilling TO let him 60. The last
hand he shook was that of a man who climbed
upon the roof of the car and hung head down
wards over the rear. The whole exciting episode
lasted only four or five minutes. There was not,
be it said, sign of intentional rudeness
throughout but Notwithstanding the good
and we'll meant enthusiasm OF the people,
the expression of hope In warranted that better
arrangements will be made ahead.
The President ADMITTED that he had never had
quite such an experience before. The only thing
he regretted. however. was that such arrange
ments mad not been made AZ would have given
q greater number the opportunity to meet him.
ASS soon as the train left Altoona tho excur-
sion ists were summoned to dinner. On the way
up the eastern mountain side the train ran into
local storm. and the rain patted upon the wiz
dows merrly for few minutes but before the
Horseshoe was passed the skies had cleared.
AT Johnstown and at many another point
cheers sometimes guns, were heard. Torches.
lanterns and fam beaux were waved, but the peo-
lighted interior.
At point called Grapevills. about twenty
miles west of Pittsburg the train halted.
and its occupants were summoned to the rear
platform. roaring sound, of escaping
steam from the pipes of an impatient ocean
steamer, was heard from the hillside a hundred
rods away to the left. but nothing visible
except the lights in the few scattered farm
houses in the neighborhood Developments
hillside lighted a Roman candle. and aimed its
discharges toward the point whence
the roaring came. and soon fame
ten feet broad leaped in the air to
the height of hundred feet. showing
the nearer hlllsdes in weird. uncanny fash
ion, aud more dmly bringing out the ghosts OF
<E1e4 hah1 h1x.I ~, f~N H. ,l1s~
the right. leaped another great flame. and these
hissed and roared together until the train
out of sight. This entertainment was prepared
by General Manager O'Day, of the United pipe
lines, who desired to show the observers, in re,
ply to their inquiries, some of the features Of
the phenomena of which the natural-gas well is
the most striking manifestation
This evening the President, in reply to an
inquiry as to how he was enjoying his journey.
expressed his warm approval of all that had
been done by the Pullman people for his COM
fort, and declared that his first days journey
had been delightful throughout. II have never
been in this part of the country before" hesaid;
land this mountain and valley scenery is
charming" Of the people along the route,
whose warm greetings he was every few minntes
acknowledging. he said: These people deserve
great deal of consideration. They rarely have
a chance to a President. and when they do
their enthusiasm is of the most genuine and
hearty character"
land, 'how, living so far from the busy cen.
tiers, they learn exactly when the train is due.
Somehow they do learn it, for they all
hand"
For hours previous to the time fixed for the
arrival of the presidential train in Pittsburg,
the streets leading to Union station were
jammed with people, anxious to gain glimpse
of the train bearing the distinguished party tc
the West. The committees of citizens repre-
senting all the corporate bodies OF the city as
sembled in the Office of Superintendent Pitcairn,
of the western division of the Pennsylvania
railroad, and when il was announced that the
train was approaching the city. they were sent
too al fnr Of int los
the train with a view of inducing the President
extend his time twenty minutes in the city
instead of five. The ladies of the Women's
Christian Temperance Union were also present
in the Office OF the superintendent, and had with
them floral offering for Mrs. Cleveland, bear
ing the inscription: In thee shall the pations
In the meantime, the throng surgsd in and
about the Union station, until the press was
almost uni nbearable,, and many we're compelled
to force their way to the side streets to gain q
breathing spell It was learned that while tho
train was passing Grapevills a halt of Ave min
uses was made to enabis the party to see the
new natural-gas strike in that region lighted
up. 1t was sight which they had never before
seen but as they approached the city the escape
pipes from wells and the ease IN ents in the way
of jets along the line of the road made the spec
acle almost commonplace and induced the
in quirv, ''why is all this gas going to
waste" The train reached the Union station
twenty minutes behind schedule time. . stoF
having been made at Homewoo6, in the city
limits. for fully twenty minutes. to witness the
illumination of the natural-eas-stand pipes;
which, from height of nearly 12G
feet. sent pillar of fire fully
fifty feet above the pipe. While this sight
was being witnessed mass of people numbering
moro than Ii. 900 were jamming about the sta.
tion, clamoring for admission to the
platform. When ths train was approaching
the union on station n red fire , WAS burned sn
leading to the station and the houses on the
street below illuminated and decorated
with multiple -colored lanterns. There
Inns of1e vvnlc fEQ null 1Ad in and
the cheers were re-echoed from the thousandt
VINO were unable even to get glimpse of this
roof of the coaches. As soon as the train cams
to stop. Superintendent Pitcairn conducted
the ladies of the w. C. L. Z. to Mrs Cleveland,
and Mrs. r. Fl. Jones presented the beautiful
testim onal which had been prepared.
In the meantime the various Democr attic
organizations. the members of which had been
drawn up in line for some time, crowded upoE
the platform Of the rear car, upon which Lh q
President had taken his position. They were
enthusiastic. and the President had oppor-
tunity of knowing what Pittsburg enthusiasm
means The train waited but five min
tracks OF the Panhandle railway and
into the portal of the tunnel westward bound
the crowd slowly dispersed The President. az
he departed from the last member Of the citf
zens' COMMITTEES. said that he had seen just
enough of Pittsburg to induce him to promist
that in the early future he would return TO SO
more of it.
STEugENvIILE o.. Gopt. 30.-The Presidenta
special train arrived here at ILLS and stopped
five minutes for water The President and Mrs.
Cleveland had retired for the night.
An Invitation Declined with Thanks.
Special TO the Indianapolis Journal.
CHICAGO, Sept 30.-The following is a copy
of letter received by General Fitzsimons
grand marshal of the parade to take place
the day of the visit of President Cleveland:
.HEADoUAgrERs CHICAGO UNION VETERAN CLUB,
CHICAGO, Sept. 90 1887. )
..Gen. Chas. Fitzsimons, Grand Marshal:
Dear Sir-Your invitation on behalf Of the
committe arrangements for the reception Of
the President to the Chicago Union VeteraH
Club to participate in the parade received yes
terday. The club desire to express their appre
citation of your kindness in extending the invi
tation. Its members entertain the most proc
found respect for the President of the United
States as President, and il necessary would de.
fend him with their lives. Our organization is,
however, distinctly and wholly Republican.